Egypt has undertaken a review, with the United Nations (UN), of the conditions of Egyptian migrants during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. During the review, the two sides also discussed the issues of Egyptians stranded in light of the global health crisis. Egypt's Minister of Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates Affairs Nabila Makram met, on Wednesday, with Elena Panova, UN Resident Coordinator in Egypt, and Tarek Al-Sheikh, UN Resident Coordinator in Kuwait. Makram reviewed the efforts made by Egypt to deal with the issues of the migrants and workers who were affected by the pandemic, adding that her ministry is in constant contact with Egyptians resident abroad. She asserted the importance of looking at the humanitarian conditions of migrants in light of the crisis caused by the Coronavirus. She pointed out that Egypt will conduct exams for Egyptian students who are unable to return to Kuwait during this period. Makram called for cooperation in order to establish awareness campaigns for Egyptian expatriates about the procedures taken by every country during the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, Panova welcomed the opportunity to cooperate with the Ministry of Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates Affairs in order to support migrants. Al-Sheikh also expressed his full readiness to participate in the initiatives and recommendations put forward by the ministry to support the humanitarian issues of migrants in light of the pandemic. During the meeting it was agreed that cooperation will continue, whilst also benefiting from migrants as a human resource that contribute to the national economy of any country.
